Tibet Announces October Ban on all Foreign Travelers

Nicknamed the ‘Rooftop of the World,’ Tibet is a bucket list destination where travelers can explore Buddhist monasteries in the shadow of Mt. Everest. If you’re thinking of flying to Tibet this autumn, think again. This October, the autonomous region of China will slam its doors shut to all travelers.

From October 18 through October 28, Tibet will be officially closed off to all foreign visitors due to meetings being held by the Chinese Communist government. The announcement, which was made by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, requires that any foreigners in Tibet leave the country by October 17 and not return until October 29, according to VIVA Lifestyle and Travel.

Travelers to Tibet typically require a special permit to enter the region, but in light of the high profile meetings that the Chinese Communist government will be holding, no new permits will be issued for the month of October.

“Foreigners are restricted from traveling to Tibet after the National Day holiday [October 1],” an anonymous employee of a redacted travel agency told the Central Tibetan Administration. “There are no official notices,” said another employee, who refused to be named. “We were told by relevant staff when we went to apply for Tibet entrance permits for foreigners that during this period, they will not issue the permit.”

The Chinese Communist government is said to hold such high profile meetings every five years, so this is not the first time Tibet has temporarily closed its borders to travelers.